What to expect In conjunction with our friends in About Argyll we are delighted to offer this unique trip where you will get to know more about the natural beauty and history of the Scottish islands of Islay & Jura as well as their malt whiskies.

Islay, once home of the MacDonald ‘Lords of the Isles, is famous for the malt whiskies from its 8 distilleries as well as for its farming, bird life, fishing and shooting. Hills, moors and machair (fertile ground near the coast) are edged around by an infinitely varied coast, with rocks, beaches and dunes, salt marshes and cliffs. Good walking country.

Jura, nearly as large as Islay, is wild and infinitely more rugged; its distinctive landmark hills - the Paps - are visible from vantage points all over Argyll, and from places as far apart as Ben Nevis and the Irish coast. Red deer outnumber people here many times over.

Whisky Islay’s natural resources - fertile soil, extensive peat bogs and wonderful soft peaty water - mixed with sea breezes and traditional distilling processes, produce the most easily distinguishable of all malt whiskies with many devotees worldwide. Islay has eight malt whisky distilleries. The distilleries in the south of the island, Lagavulin, Ardbeg and Laphroaig, produce the most strongly flavoured, phenolic whiskies in Scotland and there is another distillery on the Isle of Jura.

Walking in Scotland This itinerary combines hiking with visits to places of interest. Daily distances won’t exceed 6 miles (10 km) plus varying amounts of ascent. We don’t expect to hike for longer than 4 hours. Most of

your hiking will be on paths, tracks or quiet roads, although the surfaces can be wet and rough; there will be some steep sections along the way, but no climbs as great as 800 feet, even in total. On Islay, we’ll explore the coastal cliffs and abandoned townships of the Oa peninsula, the dunes of Ardnave as well as ancient chapels and Celtic crosses. We’ll also visit the former stronghold of the Lords of the Isles at Finlaggan. Jura is much more rugged, but we’ll explore the east coast, which is much gentler.

Highlights • Lunch at Loch Fyne Oyster bar • Visit to Kildalton Cross, a 12 foot (4m) high

Celtic cross dating from the first millennium AD • Walking on the sandy beaches, dunes and rocky

shores of Ardnave, Islay • Cliff top walk around the Mull of Oa, Islay • Visit to and hike on the Isle of Jura • Tours of 3 whisky distilleries (Caol Ila,

Laphroaig, Jura) • Lunch at Ardbeg Distillery • Fine dinners in Glasgow • Visit to Inverary and Skipness Castles

Scotland

Whisky & walking on Islay & Jura

26th July - 1st August 2020

Trip Itinerary

Day 1. Sun 20th July Meet at Glasgow Airport and take you to your hotel in the city centre, the wonderful 5* Blythswood Square Hotel, set in Glasgow’s most iconic address in the heart of the city. You’ll have time to explore Glasgow before we’ll have dinner with Brian Maule at the Chardon d’Or restaurant.

Day 2. Mon 27th July Travel along Loch Lomond, through the Arrochar Alps and along Loch Fyne to Inveraray for our first walk up Dun na Cuaiche. You’ll be rewarded with wonderful views up and down Loch Fyne and have the opportunity to visit Inveraray Castle after the walk, before a late lunch at Loch Fyne Oyster Bar. After lunch we continue our journey along Loch Fyne to Kennacraig for the 6pm ferry to Islay. Evening meal will be on the ferry. Check in to the elegant 4 star Islay House, dating from 1677 and set in 28 acres of gardens.

Day 3. Tues 28 July We start our discovery of Islay with a visit to Finlaggan, once the home of the Lords of the Isles, who ruled over West-Scotland from the 13th to the 16th centuries, it was built on some prehistoric ‘crannogs’ (artificial islands in a loch). Afterwards we continue our journey to Caol Ila Distillery for a tour of the distillery.

In the afternoon we go to Ardnave, overlooking Loch Gruinart passing the Gruinart Flats, a haven for wading birds and migrating geese. This is pleasant going over, sandy beaches, dunes and rocky shores, with wide views towards Colonsay as well as the chance of coming across seals.

Day 4. Wed 29 July Start the day with an extensive two hour tour of the Laphroaig Distillery. Sample a selection of casks and bottle your favourite. We’ll then visit the ruins of Kildalton Chapel, built in the 13th century. Next to the chapel stands a 12 feet high Celtic cross dating from the first millennium AD. After lunch at Ardbeg Distillery, we’ve an airy cliff top walk on the Oa peninsula. In good weather both the Irish and mainland Scottish coasts are visible, reminding us of the close ancient links between Scotland, Islay and Ireland.

Day 5. Thur 30 July Short ferry ride across to the Isle of Jura which and we visit the distillery there. Today’s hike will be around Lowlandman’s Bay. We’ll climb up An Dunan, one of the best preserved hill fords on Jura and continue past the Lighthouses, before reaching the jetty into the bay where seals bask on the rocks. Along the way there are great views towards the Paps of Jura and mainland Argyll.

Day 6. Fri 31 July Take the 9.45 ferry back to the mainland. Before travelling back to Glasgow we will visit Skipness Castle and have lunch at the Skipness Seafood Cabin. Return to in Glasgow late afternoon and check in to the Blythswood Square Hotel. Last night dinner at the Two Fat Ladies City Centre.

Day 7 Sat 1 Aug. After breakfast, end of tour.

Scotland

Whisky & walking on Islay & Jura

26th July - 1st August 2020

$4500 per person double occupancy$950 single supplement $500 deposit per personLimited to 12 guests

Included • 2 nights Blythswood Square Hotel, Glasgow

• 4 nights Islay House, Islay

• Private transport

• Tour manager

• Breakfast daily; 6 lunches/ 6 dinners

• Visits and activities as specified

Not included

Airfare; meals not mentioned above; travel insurance; gratuities for guides

Contact us to sign up for this trip Iberian Wine Tours

+44 7873263809

info@iberianwinetours.com

www.iberianwinetours.com

Scotland

Whisky & walking on Islay & Jura

26th July - 1st August 2020